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Without Brand, Livingston, Clippers open season vs. Warriors

Nov 2, 2007 - 1:48 PM Golden State (0-1) at La Clippers (0-0) 10:30 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Clippers hope to put last season behind them on Friday when they begin their new campaign against the Golden State Warriors.

The Clippers managed just a 40-42 record in 2006-07, one season after reaching the second round of the playoffs.

However, returning to their 2005-06 form won't be easy for Los Angeles this season as it will be without star Elton Brand and up-and-comer Shaun Livingston, who are both out indefinitely with injuries.

Brand tore his Achilles' tendon in August while working out and his timetable for return is uncertain. The veteran forward averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds last season.

Livingston, who is recovering after tearing three ligaments in his left knee in late February, averaged 9.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in his third NBA season.

On Tuesday, the Warriors opened their season with a 117-96 home loss to Utah. Baron Davis paced the Warriors, scoring 25 points and handing out 10 assists.

The Warriors are looking to repeat their stunning performance in 2006-07 after they won nine of their last 10 games to sneak into the playoffs on the last day of the season.

Golden State went on to shock the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the postseason, becoming just the third eight seed to upset the top seed in NBA playoff history, and the first team to do so in a seven-game series.